Cash register



F. L. FULLER CASH REGISTER Sept. 24, 1929.

Filed March 20. 1919 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTDR FREDffi/C/(LFZ/LLER P 1929- F. L. FULLER 1,729,333

CASH REGISTER Filed March 20, 1919 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 V V l i I. A u n v 24A 24B 25'; N h N I 21 g? INVENTOgo FREDERICKLJULLER iQDC DQD- BY 4W4 CUQD 5 1 I ATTORN y I Spt'24, 1929. FULLER 1,729,338

91x53 REGISTER Filed March 20, 1919 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 E? G N WITNESS: MENTOR TizEneRicK L. FU

F. L. FULLER CASH REGISTER Sept. 24, 1929.

Filed March 20, 1919 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR FRansR o K A-F'ul ATTORNEY,

Patented Sept. 24, 1929 FREDERICK L. FULLER, OF BRIDGEPORT,

PATENT OFFICE CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE AS- SIGNMENTS, TO RElVIINGTON ARIzIS COMPANY, INC, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A COR- PORATION OF DELAWARE CASH REGISTER Application filed. March 20, 1919.

This invention relates to an improvement in cash registers and has for its object the provision of a generally improved machine of the type shown in my application for United States patent, filed November 19, 1918, S. N. 263,125. The present invention may, however, be embodied in machines differing greatly from that shown in said application.

An object of my invention is the provision of a rotatable indicator which is differentially operable to one of a certain number of positions by the operation of one or more of a. smaller number of keys.

A more specific object is the provision of a rotatable indicator movable to one of four positions by the actuation of one or two of three keys.

A further object relates to the provision of an improved flexible key arrangement. The term flexible key arrangement as understood in this art at the present time refers to a construction where a plurality of keys, which are each to be operated ata specified operation, may be successively given a partial preliminary movement, the final movement of the keys being effected by the further operation of one of the keys, so that by this means several keys which it is desired to operate at one time may be successively started preliminarily and then all of the mechanism actuated thereby will be actuated by the depression of a single key, thus avoiding the spanning of several keys with one hand in order to secure the simultaneous operation of these several keys.

A further object is the provision of a flexible key arrangement so constructed that it may be utilized or not as preferred by the operator.

The invention has been illustrated in its preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of the machine looking toward the right and taken just to the right of the left side plate, certain parts having been omitted.

Fig. 2 is a view of certain elements illustrated in Fig. 1 but shown in a slightly different position.

Serial No. 283,720.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the parts in a more advanced position.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of portions of the machine.

Fig. 5 is a partial rear view of the machine showing the rotatable transaction indicators and the control means therefor.

Fig. 6 is a. side elevation of a portion of the machine.

Fig. 7 is a rear elevation similar to Fig. 5 showing the parts in operated position.

Fig. 8 is a vertical section taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 9 is similar to Fig. 8 but shows the parts in a slightly different position.

Figs. 10 and 11 are respectively detail sections on lines 10-10 and 1111 of Fig. 4.

In the drawings, the numeral 11 indicates the drawer base usually provided in machines of this kind, upon which is mounted a suitable metal base plate 12, which serves as a support for the two vertical side plates 13, one of which only is shown in Fig. 1. The mechanism of the machine is enclosed in a suitable cabinet 14, provided with glass windows 15 through which the indicators are visible. 16 indicates the key shaft which extends transversely through the machine and is supported at its ends in the side plates 13. 17 is the revolution shaft common in machines of this character supported in bearings in the side plates and provided with the necessary cams and other means for actuating and cont-rolling the various operations of the machine. These have not been illustrated as they are well known in the art.

hiy invention has been embodied in the present instance in a machine having thirtyone manipulative devices such as keys, comprising nine penny keys, numbered 20 to 20 inclusive; nine dime keys 21 to 21 inclusive; nine dollar keys 22 to 22,, inclusive; two transaction keys 23 and 28p; and one or two auxiliary or clerks keys 2 1 and 24 These keys may be provided with upwardly extending arms 25 for suitably and differentially actuating any suitable registering mechanism.

As is common in machines of this kind, I

have provided a key coupler 26 overlying the keys and oscillatable about the pivots 26 journaled in the side frames. The coupler is provided with a solid bearing edge 27 along its entire length, below which the coupler is beveled at 28.

In machines of this kind, it is generally recognized as desirable to be able to successively partially depress the selected keys whereby they become attached to a common member such as a coupler and will be fully operated by said common member upon the total depression of any one of the selected keys. Such a construction is fully shown and described in many patents, especially Patent fist-97,860, granted May 23, 1893, to Thomas Carney. In place of the sliding plates of said patent, I prefer to use the bars 30, 31, 32 and overlying the keys 20, 21, 22 and 23, respectively, and pivoted as at 34 to suitable supports rigidly carried by the coupler and spring pressed rearwardly by springs 35. The supports 35 are secured by screws to the top of the key coupler, and the bars 30, 31, 32 and 33 are provided with upstanding portions 34? near their ends by which they are pivoted to said supports and each bar is provided with a forwardly extending stop arm 34 which engages the upper part of the coupler 26 to limit the movement of the bars under the action of the springs 35. This arrangement, which forms no part of the present invention is also disclosed in my co pending application above referred to. Opposite the clerks keys 2 1 and 2 1 the coupler carries a rigid plate 36 formed with an upwardly extending lug 36.

Referring to Fig. 1, the revolution shaft 17 is rotated 360 degrees at each operation of the machine by a rack member 37 provided with opposed rack teeth meshing at selected times with a pinion 38 fixed to the shaft 17. To prevent retrograde motion and therefore insure a full operation of the machine, the shaft 17 is provided also with a ratchet wheel 39 against which bears a pawl 40 pivoted to the side frame at ll and held thereagainst by a suitable spring 42. On the down stroke of the key the rear rack teeth engage the pinion 3S and rotate it 180 degrees. At the end of this stroke the rack plate 37 engages the spring pressed shelf 43 and is thereby forced rearwardly so that the forward rack teeth engage the pinion 38 and cause it to turn the remaining 180 degrees. This shelf is pivoted as at 4 1 and held in normal position against a stop 46 by a spring 45. These parts have not been described in detail as they are well known in this art. All of the keys with the exception of the clerks keys 2% and have a circular face 47 concentric with the bearing 26 of the key coupler.. Immediately below this face there is a cutaway portion or notch 48. The edge 27. the beveled portion 28 and the pivotally mounted bars, 30, 31,

32 and 33 enter the notches 48 in those keys which are operated. If after a certain point, which we may term the coupling point, has been passed, an attempt is made to operate another key, the face 17 thereof will engage the edge 2? and prevent such misoperation. In order to lift the key coupler to the coupling point and stop its movement in that position, I have provided coupler lifting keys preferably by constructing the clerks keys 24 and 24 in a special manner to cooperate with the lug 36 to produce this result.

The clerks keys are formed with a notch 51 below the swinging end of the key coupler. The forward edge of this notch comprises a coupler lifting cam surface 50, engaging with a face on the rear edge of a clearance recess 50" formed on the under side of the coupler. The back side of the notch provides a stop face 52 which engages the swingin edge of the coupler and stops the motion of the clerks key. Extending upwardly and rearwardly from this face is a recess 53, just forward of which is located a downwardly extending lug 54.

To operate the machine it is first necessary to depress one of the coupler lifting clerks keys. Assuming the depression of the key MA, as shown in the drawings, a considerable movement of the key takes place to effect a relatively small movement of the coupler which results in a very easy operation of said key. The reason for this is that the face 50 is so related to the coupler as to exert a camming action thereon as the key is depressed. As shown, said face 50 is inclined for producing upward movement of the coupler during depression of the key, and since said key and said coupler have different centers the point of contact between the faces 50 and 50 gradually shifts from the position shown in Fi". 1 to that of Fig. 2. The coupler has thus been lifted through a smaller arc than that traversed by said key. This movement is terminated by the engagement of the face 52 with the front edge 27 of the coupler. The parts are held in this position as the coupler cannot fall back on account of the pawl 40 to which it is connected by means of the pin 26 (dotted lines in Fig. 1) engaging in a slot in the lower end of the rack slide 37. Transaction and amount keys may now be partly depressed which operation attaches them to the coupler and when the desired keys have been so attached, the full compression of one of such keys will cause the completion of the upward stroke of the coupler. During this movement, the lug 36 has come into engagement with the lug 54 thereby lifting the clerks key until the lug 36 will enter the recess 53, as shown in Fig. 3.

It is obvious that in machines of this kind, it will be advisable to provide some form of interlock to prevent the depression of trans- Cir action or amount keys before one of the clerks keys has been operated. No such mechanism has been illustrated herein as it is not a part of my present invention and as any usual form thereof might be used. I

This improved form of coupler lifting key is also applicable to registering machines having only one totalizer. In such machines, clerks keys are not provided and in flexible key machines of this class, such an auxiliary or coupler lifting key is admirably adapted to lift the coupler to the coupling point and stop and hold it there while other keys are being attached to the coupler. This provides a very satisfactory arrangement in that the key may be utilized or not, depending upon whether the keys are to be successively or simultaneously depressed. If it is desired to depress the keys simultaneously, the conpler lifting key remains in normal position.

Advantage may be taken of the fact that the depression of a clerks key 2% is positively limited by engagement of the stop face 52, with the swinging edge ofthe coupler to avoid any possibility of going beyond the coupling point until all desired keys have been attached. For example, if pressure is maintained on the key 24 after the coupler has been raised to coupling position, the key and coupler will be locked and amount and transaction keys may then be partially depressed and attached to the coupler withoutany danger of pressing any of them too far and carrying the coupler beyond the coupling point. After the desired keys have been attached to the coupler, the operation may be completed by releasing the pressure on the clerks key and fully depressing any, preferably the last, of the attached amount or transaction keys.

Transaction in(Z'icat07-.This indicator preferably comprises two transverse, rotatable bars arranged to the front and rear, re spectively, of the amount indicator targets. These indicator bars are lifted at each operation of the machine to conceal the target indication and therefore perform also the func tion of a flash. The present machine differs from the one shown in said application in that it is of the type having no charge or received on account keys. I am able, therefore, to omit clerks indicator tablets and present the clerks indication on said rotatable bars. I have, therefore, provided rotatable bars with four faces, each bearing one of the following indications, ACash, BCash, APaid out, or B-Paid out. It Will be seen that each of these indications is composed of two indicia, the letter signifying the clerk and corresponding to the series of clerks keys and the word signifying the transaction and corresponding to the series of transaction keys. The mechanism for disposing the proper face in visible position and therefore displaying the proper indication must therefore be under the control of a key of two series (clerks and transaction). Said mechanism comprises two vertical slides 250, located on opposite sides of the machine and formed with forwardly extending tails 252 resting on the key coupler (see Figs. 1 and 6). These slides will be lifted by the coupler at each operation of the machine. In order to insure simultaneous movement of the slides and therefore prevent wedging of the parts, I have provided a shaft 25a extending across the machine and having pinions 255 at its opposite ends, cooperating with the rack teeth 257 on the slides 250. The left hand slide 250 is provided with a nose 258 forming a stop for a purpose to be described later. The upper ends of the slides are bifurcated to provide arms 259. Two rotatable indica tor bars 261 and 262 are supported by suitable shafts 268 and 264 in bearings in the arms 259. These shafts carry the pinions 265 and 266, respectively, in continuous engagement with a gear sector 241. While the indicator bars may be provided with any desired number of faces, in this particular case, I have formed them with four faces bearing the words, ACash, APaid out, B Cash and BPaid out. The words are so arranged on the face of the bars that the saie indication is displayed at the front and back of the machine. It is obvious that in order to display any desired indication, it will be necessary merely to properly position the gear sector 271.

I will now describe the means I have provided for this purpose. Just to the right of the left hand slide 250, I have providedthree vertically movable slides 2751 275E and 275BP, which come into operation to position the bars to display the indications A Paid out, BCash'and BPaid out respectively. Said slides are provided with rearwardly extending shelves 2761 276B and 276131 respectively, normally located at about the same height. These slides are pro 'ided also with tongues 1961 19613 and 196BP, for holding said slides in lifted position by engagement with the top edge of a suitable back rod 197, suitably controlled by a link 198 whose movement is controlled by a suitable cam 199. lVhen released by the back rod these slides are started down by the action of the spring pressed bail 197 on said tongues. F or convenience of illustration the spring is omitted from the drawing. The gear sector 271 has a pin 2% extending toward the right and overlying these shelves and is provided on the left with a pin 272, which serves as an attaching means for the spring 273 but extends further to the left for engagement with the stop 258.

The lower end of the slide 275B overlies the key 24B while the lower end of the slide 2751 overlies the Paid out key 23F and said slides will be lifted upon the actuation of said koys. The third slide 2753? comes into play when each of said keys .Z l-B and 231 are operated and for this pur e is provided with a pivoted hanger, 2'7

. for determining the position of the sector 271. and therefore, of the indicator bars.

Opemtiom-lf the clerk A makes a cash tran. action, he actuates merely the key ii in connection with an'iount keys. Dru-i operation of the machine, the slides their attached parts are lifted by coupler so that the indicator bar 2(2 will conceal the targets w. otherwise be exposed to view. coupler drops, the slides and their L .c parts descend and the parts come to rest w the pin 2. 2 on the stop 2558., it being an stood that the shelves 6 have not been raised. The indicator bars will now expose the words A Cash on the front and back of the machine. Yl'lfll the machine is operated by the clerk B to register a id out transaction, the depression of he keys raises the coupler and therewith the slides and their attached parts as in the prev ous instance. The Paid out key 231 has however, lifted the slide 2751 and the B key has lifted the slide 275B and the two together, through the agency of the hanger 275131 have lifted the slide 2753?. Their respective supporting tongues 1961 19613 and 19GB]? have been caught and held by the back rod 197, lem ing the three shelves in raised position. The shelf QTGBP is in uppermost position, and upon the descent of the i: licator parts, serves as a stop for the pin 2"4: tr-ereby causing the turning of the gear sector I to the position shown in Fig. 9, thereby turning the bars 261 and 262 to expose the words, l. -Paid out at the front and rear of the ma chine.

Assuming a cash operation of the nachine by the clerk B, the slide will alon be raised whereupon the shelf 2761: forms a stop for positioning the indicator bars to expose the words B-Cash. Likewise, a Paid out operation by the clerk A will result in the liftin of the slite 2751 and the posh tioning of the shelf 2761 in th path of the pin 274, which will stop the bars at a position exposing the words, APaid out. It will be seen therefore, that I have provided an in dicator which is dillerentially movable to one of four positions by the operation of one or two of three keys.

lVhile the form of mechanism here shown and described is admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that it is not intended to confine the invention to the one form of OD'IlHXliDlQIIt herein disclosed, for it is susceptible of embodiment in various forms all coming within the scope of the claims which follow:

I claim:

1. In a cash register, a key coupler, keys underlying said coupler, flexibly mounted means adapted to latch said keys to said coupler, and an auxiliary unitary pivoted key for lifting the coupler a fixed distance, said a xiliary key serving to block coupler movement at an intermediate point in the normal troke of the latter.

In a cash register, a key coupler, keys underlying said coupler, flexibly mounted means adapted to latch said keys to said coupler, and an auxiliary key for lifting the coupler a fixed distance and stopping its motion at the desired point, said auxiliary key being formed with a cam face cooperating with a face on the coupler for lifting said coupler and a stop face engageable with the front edge of said coupler for stopping said coupler.

In a cash register, a key coupler, keys underlying said coupler, flexibly mounted means adapted to latch said keys to said coupler, and an auxiliary key for lifting the coupler fixed distance and blocking its move ment at a point intermediate the normal stroke of the latter, said auxiliary key being formed with a cam face cooperating with a face on the coupler, said faces being so formed that a considerable movement of the auxiliary key is required for a slight movement of the coupler.

4. In a cash register, a key coupler, keys underlying said coupler, flexibly mounted means adapted to latch said keys to ,said coupler, and an auxiliary key for lifting the coupler a fixed distance and stopping its motion at the desired point, said auxiliary key being formed with a cam fare cooperating with a face on the coupler, said faces being so formed that a considerable movement of the auxiliary toy is required for a slight movement of the coupler and a stop face engageable with the front eoge of said coupler for stopping said coupler at the desired point.

5. In a cash register, a key coupler, keys underlying said coupler, flexibly mounted means adapted to latch said keys to said coupler, and an auxiliary key or clerks key for lifting the coupler a fixed distance and blocking its movement at an intermediate point in its normal stroke, said auxiliary or clerks key being formed with a cam face cooperating with a face on one side of coupler for lifting said coupler and a stop face engageable with the other side thereof, for stopping said coupler, said faces being so formed that the con pler may be moved further by any of the other keys, and means on the coupler engageable Ill With the auxiliary or clerks key for moving it through the remaining part of its stroke.

6. In a cash register, a key coupler, keys underlying said coupler, flexibly mounted means adapted to latch said keys to said cou pler, and an auxiliary key for lifting the coupler a fixed distance and blocking its movement at an intermediate point in its normal stroke, said auxiliary key being formed with a cam face cooperating with a face on one side of coupler for lifting said coupler and a stop face engageable with the other side thereof, for stopping said coupler, said parts being so formed that the coupler may be raised beyond said point by any of the first mentioned keys.

7. In a cash register, a key coupler, keys underlying said coupler, flexibly mounted means adapted to latch said keys to said coupler, and an auxiliary key for lifting the coupler a fixed distance and blocking its movement at an intermediate point in its normal stroke, said auxiliary key being formed with a cam face cooperating with a face on one side of coupler for lifting said coupler and a stop face engageable with the other side thereof, for stopping said coupler, said parts being so formed that the coupler may be raised without affecting an un-operated auxiliary key.

8. In a cash register, the combination with a series of keys, of a key coupler common to the keys and normally out of coupling position, and an auxiliary unitary key centrally pivoted and carrying a cam for moving the coupler to coupling position and also rigidly carrying a stop for arresting the coupler at said position.

9. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of operating keys, an auxiliary key, a universal member, cam means operated by said auxiliary key for imparting a fixed limit ed movement to said universal member and positively arresting it, and connections under control of said operating keys for subsequent- 1y imparting a different movement to said universal member and said auxiliary key.

10. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of depressible keys, a member common to said keys and adapted, upon movement beyond a certain intermediate point to prevent the depression of any undepressed keys, means whereby one of said keys controls the movement of said common member to said intermediate point, means movable by said key and cooperating directly with said member for positively arresting said member at said point, and means for moving said common member beyond said intermediate point and coincidentally further operating said one key.

11.. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of keys arranged in groups, a key coupler having provisions for successively attaching a key of each of said groups when said coupler is partially rocked, any of said keys being capable of carrying said coupler beyond such partially rocked position, a unitary pivoted auxiliary key adapted to move said coupler into such partially rocked position, and means positively blocking movement of said coupler beyond such partially rocked position so long as pressure is maintained on said auxiliary key.

12. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of operating keys, a member common to said keys and operated thereby and an auxiliary key adapted to partially operate said member and to be latched for further movement therewith, said auxiliary key being provided with means for preventing further movement ofsaid member so lon as pressure is maintained on said auxiliary key.

13. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of operating keys, a coupler common thereto, means on said coupler for attaching selected keys thereto when said coupler is in an intermediate position, said keys being adapted to operate said coupler beyond said intermediate position, a unitary pivoted auxiliary key for moving said coupler to said intermediate posit-ion and coacting means on said auxiliary key and coupler having divergent arcuate paths of movement and op erative to prevent movement of said coupler beyond the intermediate position so long as pressure is maintained on said auxiliary key.

14. In a cash register, unitary pivoted manipulative devices such as keys, a member common to said keys and rockable therewith, a certain one of said keys being provided with means engageable with said common member for rocking said common member, said common member and said certain key being so formed that said key will rock the common member a less angular distance than the angular movement of said key, said member being subsequently further rockable by other of said keys.

15. In a cash register, a unitary rigid pivoted key, a coupler engage-able by said key and movable therewith, said key and said coupler being mounted for movement about different centers, and camming means between said key and said coupler so formed that a considerable movement of said key is required for a slight movement of said coupler.

16. In a cash register, a key-coupler, a unitary rigid pivoted key underlying said coupler, said coupler having an inclined face and said key being provided with a projection for engaging said face to lift said coupler, said key and said coupler being mounted for movement about different centers, whereby the point of contact between said projection and said face is shifted as said key is depressed.

17. In a cash register, manipulative devices such as unitary pivoted keys, a member common to said keys and movable therewith, one of said keys being provided with. means engageable with said common member for lifting said common member a predetermined distance, and positive means rigidly carried on said key for stopping the motion of the common member at an intermediate point in the normal stroke of said member, said memher being further movable by other of said keys.

Signed at Bridgeport, county of Fairfield, State of Connecticut, this 13th day of March 1919.

FREDERICK L. FULLER. 

